RECOMMENDATION FOR BEST STREET FOOD TOURS IN HANOI

               Hanoi capital always be a must see destination in your travel list when  you spend your vacation in Vietnam. Visiting Hanoi, you will feel first surprised with the crazy traffic in rush hour, too much motorbikes and they honk a lot. Besides that you will impress with vietnamese people because they always look happy and friendly. Hanoi capital is beautiful and peaceful with many tourist attractions such as historical places, pagodas, temples, entertainment places, shopping malls, etc. Especially you won’t definitely miss to try Hanoi street food here with many delicious dishes, Hanoi was voted to be one of the street food paradise in the world. Be careful with street food here because you may get addicted with them. Try as much as possible Vietnamese food in best places when you stay in Hanoi. The best way to enjoy Hanoi street food is travel with locals, they will guide you to best places for delicious Vietnamese food with chep price. You can join with a Hanoi street food tour. There are a lot of tour operators celebrated Hanoi street food tour to choose so you may get confused to find a best one to join. I will recommend you some best food tour operators in Hanoi if you would like to book a street food tour in Hanoi.
1. Vietnam Eco Travel
           Vietnam Eco Travel is a prestige tour operator in Vietnam. They provide many tours in Vietnam, includes Hanoi street food tours. You can book this tour in the morning, afternoon or in the evening. The tour guide will guide to local small restaurant to try Vietnamese cuisine as well as Hanoi cuisine. Moreover you will know about the ingredient, recipe, source and how to eat like a local each dish. Via the introduction of the tour guide, you also know about Vietnamese culture, lifestyle and some historical places in Hanoi Old Quarter.
This company mainly provides walking tour so you will walk around Hanoi Old Quarter, try food and drinks around here. They have 2 kind of street food tour: A tour for Vietnamese food lover who would like to try as much as possible Vietnamese food and drinks through the tour in local small restaurants. Another tour is the combination between Vietnamese cuisine and Vietnamese culture: You will enjoy delicious Vietnamese food in good restaurants, made some Vietnamese food by yourself via the introduction of the tour guide and enjoy “ca tru” which is one of traditional folk song in the north of Vietnam by good Vietnamese singers; You also visit some pagodas, historical places through this tour. The tour will last about 3.5 hours – 4 hours.
The highlight: 
- Good price and highly appreciated by tourists in Tripadvisors.
- You can try best Vietnamese food until you’re full.
- Professional and knowledgeable tour guide
- With street food tour which combines with “ca tru”, you will have chance to enjoy one of traditional folk songs in the north of Vietnam

- Small group (Maximum 8 people)

2. Kim tours
            Kim tours is a Local Tour Operator company in Old quarter of Hanoi,Vietnam for many years, They offer,Hanoi Street Food Walking Tour, Scooter Food Tour,Hanoi Street food Veteran Tour,Hanoi Adventure Food Tour,Street Food Water Puppet Show,Cyclo Street Food Tour ,Hanoi Cooking Class Tours so you will have more choices to book your favorite food tour in Hanoi. With those tours, you will know more about Vietnamese cuisine via the introduction of tour guides and try mouth – watering dishes.
Highlight:
- You have more choice for food tours
- Good price with small group (maximum 10 people)
- Friendly and knowledgeable tour guide
- Many excellent reviews on Tripadvisor by their customers
You will have a chance to try Hanoi street food in local small restaurants in Hanoi Old Quarter and try from 8 to 10 vietnamese dishes and drinks.
3. Vietnam Awesome Travel
       Vietnam Awesome Travel is one of a good tour company in Hanoi, Vietnam. They’re also famous for Hanoi food on foot tour. This tour will guide to small family restaurant in Hanoi Old Quarter to try Vietnamese food as well as Hanoi cuisine. You can try from 8 to 10 dishes and drinks through the tour. They offer 3 kind of Hanoi food tour: Standard tour, superior tour and deluxe tour.
With the superior tour, beside enjoy Vietnamese food, you will have 1 hour with cyclo or watch water puppet show.
With the deluxe tour, beside enjoy Vietnamese food, you will have 1 hour with body massage.
Highlight:
- You can choose standard, superior or deluxe food tour.
- Knowledgeable tour guide
- Many excellent reviews on Tripadvisor by their customers

           There are many tour operators which provide Hanoi food tour but those are 3 of best tour companies in Hanoi. I hope you will have great tour in Hanoi and wonderful experiences!

>>>Read more:   HANOI – PARADISE OF STREET FOOD TOUR IN THE WORLD
                           

                    TOP 10 HIGHLIGHT HANOI STREET FOOD AND DRINKS IN HANOI OLD QUARTER

TOP – RATED HOLY PAGODAS AND TEMPLES IN HA NOI

          Vietnam is a country with a long history of thousands of, is well-known for the diversity of ancient civilization of deep-root traditions like worshiping. The existence of pagodas and temples plays an important role in the spiritual life of Vietnamese people. Vietnamese people usually go to pagoda or temples in lunar new year, on 1st and 15th of lunar month for praying, express respect to their ancestors, religious institutions. Especially on lunar new year, if you visit some pagodas in Hanoi, you will have chance to take part in a wide range of traditional and interesting activities. Vietnam Eco Travel will introduce you eleven holy pagodas and temples which you should visit in Hanoi.
1. Tran Quoc Pagoda
         Located on a island in the south of Ho Tay (West lake), Tran Quoc pagoda is one of the best destinations of Thang Long citadel (the old name of Hanoi capital) under Le dynasty. In the past, it is the place Vietnamese Kings usually visit to relax and pray on lunar new year or on 1st and 15th of lunar month. Tran Quoc pagoda is the oldest pagoda in Hanoi and considered one of 16 the most beautiful pagodas in the world. Tran Quoc Pagoda is not only worth visiting as a sacred sanctuary of Buddhism attracting countless Buddhist believers; but also an indispensible destination for cultural explorers to Vietnam.

2. Quan Su pagoda
         Located in 73 Quan Su street, Quan Su pagoda is not only a sacred pgoda but alsothe headquarters of Vietnam Municipal Buddhist Association. Quan Su Pagoda was built in the 15th century during the reign of Lê Dynasty. Pagoda has been already restored and repaired several times. The emperor ordered to build this pagoda and temple because of the greeting of the Buddhist ambassadors.
Quan Su is always full of worshipers and visitors. Many people arrive here have the same feeling that the atmosphere inside the pagoda is really tranquil and restful. The wall color is in white; together with brown color of ancient statues create a peaceful landscape inside the temple.
Especially in Quan Su Temple, you can see some human-like wax statues. They are the emulations of passed-away monks in the past. The most prominent one is the wax statue of monk Thich Thanh Tu (former Vice Chairman of Vietnam Buddhism Association) has the dimension as well as other details the same of monk Thich Thanh Tu when he is alive. Many Buddhists claim that the wax statue is so lively that they feel like monk Thich Thanh Tu is praying and giving his gentle eyes on the Buddhists.

3. Tay Ho Temple
        Located near West lake, in Quang An ward, Tay Ho district, Hanoi. The temple worships Ms. Princess Lieu Hanh, one of the immortality quartet of Vietnam (Son Tinh, Thanh Giong, Chu Dong Tu, Lieu Hanh). Legend has it that she is Quynh Hoa - second daughter of the Jade Emperor, banished to earth for the crime of breaking glass jewel. Down to earth, she traveled, exploring all parts. Across the island of West Lake, she discovered this holy land. She decided to open up shop and lived here. She helped people to settle, eradicate evil, and punish bribery. Under the Nguyen dynasty, she was named ‘Mau Nghi Thien Ha” (Mother of the whole world), being one of the four gods "Immortals Quartet" of Vietnam.
Many people come here, not only to worship Thanh Mau in the hope that she will offer them good things and good luck, but also to admire the beautiful landscape of the capital city.

4. Quan Thanh temple
        Located in Thanh Nien street, near West lake. Quan Thanh Temple was built during the reign of King Ly Thai To (1010-1028) and renovated many times, the temple is also called Tran Vu temple, since it is dedicated to Huyen Thien Tran Vu (Guardian of the North of the Country) whose symbols of power are the serpent and turtle. It is one of the Four Sacred Temples that were built in four directions to protect the capital from malevolent spirits. . During its long history, Quan Thanh Temple has been renovated several times, most recently in 1893 when the principal gate and the shrine were redone, so the architecture is a mixture of the many different styles of the imperial era. The main features of Quan Thanh Temple are a large yard shaded by a giant banyan tree and a shrine that contains the famous bronze statue of Tran Vu built in 1677.
Quan Thanh temple attracts visitors for its famous special and beautiful structure and religious cultural place.

5. Voi Phuc temple
        Voi Phuc temple (Kneeling Elephant temple) is located near Thu Le lake, in Ngoc Khanh ward, Ba Dinh district. It has another name’s Thu Le temple,  with its large campus and lush green trees is one of the popular scenic places in Vietnam’s capital city of Hanoi.
It was built in the Year of the 7th Chuong Thanh Gia Khanh (1065) during the Dynasty of King Ly Thanh Tong.  The 11th century temple is dedicated to the son of King Ly Thanh Tong, Royal Highness Linh Lang who was known as the western guardian god of the Thang Long Citadel. Therefore, it is also known as Linh Lang Temple.  In front of the temple are two kneeling elephants, hence the name Voi Phuc is called by the residents. Besides two elephants kneel, there are objects in the temple such as two bronze statues, a sacred stone with indentations, parallel sentences that praise the merits of the Thang Long Citadel’s Western Guardian God.
Voi Phuc temple has becomes an indispensable part of Hanoi , attracting a lot of domestic and foreign visitors.

6. Kim Liem Temple
        Located in Quang An Village, Tay Ho district, Hanoi. According to history fact, the Ly Than Tong King had a daughter called Princess Tu Hoa. He commanded to build a place which was named his own daughter, Tu Hoa and let Tu Hoa and her imperial maids stay in this palace in order to give her a lesson of understanding and respecting their social positions. Kim Lien was designed with the combination of three pavilions, each of which has 2 roof layers. These pavilions were also built in the slight curved shapes. In addition of its nice disposition, the gate of Kim Lien Pagoda is also a symbol of the sophisticated and
Elegant architecture.
Among the temples and pagodas in Hanoi, Kim Lien Pagoda is considered one of the magnificent pagoda retaining intact the ancient architecture.

7. Ngoc Son temple
         Located at the northern end of Hoan Kiem Lake, Ngoc Son ("Jade Mountain") Temple is one of the most famous temples in Hanoi. Tourists in Vietnam Tourism who travel to Hoan Kiem Lake should not ignore this special temple.
when Ngoc Son Temple was built on an island in the 19th century. The temple was constructed during the 19th century as a memorial towards famous Vietnamese and Chinese legends who contributed to the country’s welfare. The commemorated heroes at the temple include the military general Tran Hung Dao, the scholar Saint Van Xuong and the Confucian artist Nguyen Van Sieu. To access this famous tourist attraction in Hanoi, visitors will have to pass through the colourful Huc Bridge. The Ngoc Son Temple surroundings are extremely peaceful and are ideal to relax in and enjoy natural beauty.
Within the temple, visitors will see a sculpture of a tortoise that is believed by many to be the legendary tortoise that used to dwell in the Hoan Kiem Lake. Folklore speaks of how Emperor Le Thai To was cruising along the lake, when a large tortoise appeared out of the waters and captured his sword which he had used in battle to secure a victory against Chinese opposition. It is said that the lake acquired its current name as a result of this legendary event.

8. Bach Ma Temple
        Located in Hang Buom street, Hoan Kiem district, in the heart of the Old Quarter, the small Bach Ma Temple (White Horse Temple) is said to be the oldest temple in the city, though much of the current structure dates from the 18th century and a shrine to Confucius was added in 1839. It was originally built by Emperor Ly Thai To in the 11th century to honour a white horse that guided him to this site, where he chose to construct his city walls.
One day, when the king was praying, a white horse suddenly appeared in his dream and pointed to an area with its hoof prints. King Ly Thai To understood that the white horse was indicating a good site for the construction of the citadel, so he immediately chose such area to build his wall. Surprisingly, the wall no longer collapsed afterwards and the citadel was thus successfully constructed. Therefore, Bach Ma Temple, which is located around the center of Ha Noi Old Quarter, was built to honor the white horse that gave him such important guidance
Pass through the wonderful old wooden doors of the pagoda to see a statue of the legendary white horse, as well as beautiful red-lacquered funeral palankeen.

9. Phuc Khanh pagoda
        Located in 382 Tay Son street, Dong Da district, Hanoi, Phuc Khanh pagoda is one of the most sacred pagoda in Hanoi. It was built in Tran dynasty in 19th century and rebuilt several times because of the war. Phuc Khanh pagoda still keep a lot of historical thing related with different Vietnam dynasties such as 20 stone statues with Tay Son dynasty design style; 3 copper bell; 21 steles, etc. Especially its architecture is unique with religious construction.
Phuc Khanh pagoda attracts many pilgrims from all around Vietnam come here on new year or on 1st and 15th each lunar month every year.

10. Ha Pagoda
         Ha Pagoda is in Dich Vong street, Cau Giay district, Hanoi. Ha Pagoda is one of the beautiful temple complex and attracted many Buddhists, tourists and even the young Hanoian. It is attractive young buddhism  believers to come here and pray for their love and another pilgrims pray for their wishes.
The temple was built since King Ly Thanh Tong (1054-1072). The structure of the pagoda makes it confusing for first time visitor to know which section to go first. The front of the pagoda is for financial fortune while the back of the pagoda is for romantic blessings. Ha pagoda has many old trees. The oldest is more than 300 years old, standing next to the fireplace. The star fruit tree in front of the pagoda is also more than 100 years old, yielding juicy fruits year round. The trees in the front yard came from India. Though being regularly trimmed, the trees still spread out, covering the whole yard. There is also a semicircular pond in front of the yard.  

>>>Read more: Hanoi street food tour with expert local guide
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THINGS TO KNOW ABOUT HANOI OLD QUARTER

              Hanoi, Vietnam’s capital lies in the north of Vetnam and is one of the country’s top tourist hot spots. It offers French-colonial architecture, a rich food culture and a long history (the city celebrated its millennium in 2010.) The most well known and important districts in Hanoi are Ba Dinh District (near the French Quarter) where the government offices are located and Hoan Kiem District (includes the Old Quarter) which is considered the city’s business hub and main tourist destination.

Hanoi has 36 streets and guilds – Silver Street, Jam Street, Peach Street, etc. each bears the name of the goods that was specifically traded there such as Hang Bac (Silver Product), Hang Ma (Paper Product), Hang Go (Wood Product), just to name a few. Inside a modern and dynamic city, there appears an antique quarter, the Hanoi Old Quarter – the represented eternal soul of the city. These days, most Vietnamese and Westerners are familiar with the phrase “Ha Noi - Ba mươi sáu phố phường” (translated as “Hanoi – 36 Old Streets”), or “Phố cổ Hà Nội” (translated as “Hanoi’s Old Quarter”), the top special historical vestige and sight-seeing of the capital, luring international visitors thanks to their mostly original state. Due to their long-lasting age, they are called “Old Quarter” or “36 Old Streets” (as consisting of 36 member streets). Similarly to the Guilded age of Europe, “Ha Noi's 36 districts” is Vietnam's version of the guild concept. In the past, as artisans moved to the capital city to do business, they gathered together in this area to share the resources. As a result, many of the streets were named after the crafts sold at that individual street. Pho Hang Bun (Rice noodles product), Pho Hang Ma (Paper Product), Pho Hang Bac (Silver), etc. are examples of the streets carrying the name of the products sold there. The phrase “36 pho phuong” often causes much confusion for most people; “Phố” means a street or a place for merchants to gather to do business, while “Phường”, a district or a guild of artisans specializing in a particular trade. Yet, in any case, both are right to some extent.

Because inhabitants of each street came from the same village, streets developed a homogeneous look. Commoners' homes evolved out of market stalls, before streets were formed. Because storekeepers were taxed according to the width of their storefront, storage and living space moved to the rear of the buildings. Consequently, the long and narrow buildings were called "tube houses." Typical measurements for such houses are 3 meters wide by 60 meters long.
The Old Quarter has a rich religious heritage. When the craftsmen moved from outlying villages into the capital, they brought with them their religious practices. They transferred their temples, pagodas and communal houses to their new location. Each guild has one or two religious structures and honors its own patron saint or founder. Therefore, on each street in the Old Quarter there is at least one temple. Now, many of the old temples in the Old Quarter have been transformed into shops and living quarters, but some of the old buildings' religious roots can still be recognized by the architecture of their roofs.
The Old Quarter is located between the Lake of the Restored Sword, the Long Bien Bridge, a former city rampart, and a citadel wall, the Old Quarter (consisting of 36 old streets inside) started as a snake and alligator-infested swamp. It later evolved into a cluster of villages made up of houses on stilts, and was unified by Chinese administrators who built ramparts around their headquarters. The area was named "Dominated Annam" or "Protected South" by the Chinese.
 It would be a big surprise should you know that Hanoi's Old Quarter came into being at the time King Ly Thai To selected Thang Long as the country’s capital in 1010, he moved the capital from Hoa Lu which is in Ninh Binh province, far away from Hanoi about 100 km, that is, the streets have a nearly 1,000-year old history and became crowded & lively in 15th century. What makes them unique is that many of them remain in their very ancient architecture of the 15th century. Until now, it has been the oldest continuously developed area of Vietnam.

              Visiting this unique historical vestige comfortably lying around Hoan Kiem Lake, tourists get lost in a totally different world from the rest of the city and have the chance to explore the modest but energetic life of the local a hundred years ago, where there were no high-rise buildings, too much traffic or fancy stores; things will get a little bit smaller, as visitors may have used to those skyscrapers and shopping centers in other parts of the city, but not at all less lively and vigorous.

>>>Read more: Hanoi street food tour with expert local guide
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HOA LO PRISON – A GOOD PLACE TO KNOW ABOUT VIETNAMESE HISTORY

            The Hoa Lo Prison, later known to American prisoners of war as the "Hanoi Hilton", was a prison used by the French colonists in Vietnam for political prisoners and later by North Vietnam for prisoners of war during the Vietnam War. Let's explore it with our Hanoi city tour!

Located in downtown Hanoi, the Hoa Lo Prison or the Hanoi Hilton was built by the French administration in 1896 when Vietnam was still part of French Indochina. The French called the prison Maison Centrale - a traditional euphemism to denote prisons in France.
Hoa Lo prison was built on top of the ancient Phu Khanh village, famous for centuries in Vietnam for making earthenware kettles, teapots and portable stoves. The French destroyed it and in its place built one of the largest prison complexes in Indochina – at the time the facility also included a courthouse and the headquarters of the secret police. The prison is an emblem of the worst behavior an oppressor can inflict on the oppressed. However, Hoa Lo also served as a de facto university for scores of prisoners, and many political leaders of Vietnam spent time in its cells. They huddled together for years on end, educating one another on how to get rid of their French overlords, and came up with not only strategy, but ideology. From 1930 to 1945, the jail also housed female prisoners and their photo portraits hang forlornly on a wall.

This prison was built by the French between 1886 and 1901. It was intended to hold Vietnamese prisoners, particularly political prisoners agitating for independence who were often subject to torture and execution. A 1913 renovation expanded its capacity from 460 inmates to 600. It was nevertheless often overcrowded, holding some 730 prisoners on a given day in 1916, a figure which would rise to 895 in 1922 and 1,430 in 1933. By 1954 it held more than 2000 people; Large population and poor conditions continued were one of the reasons why this prison became so hated in the Vietnam, and many people being sent there became more and more angry against French Government and their colonization of Vietnam. It was recorded that many political prisoners started gathering likeminded people and converting the local Vietnamese population because of the harsh conditions inside this prison. Conditions were appalling; food was watery soup and bread. Prisoners were variously isolated, starved, beaten, tortured for countless hours and paraded in anti-American propaganda. "It is easy to die but hard to live," a prison guard told one new arrival, "and we will show you just how hard it is to live." The prison is really “A Hell on Earth”. “According to regulation, foods for prisoners were changed; a meal with pork meat Sunday, it was old sow meat or stringy meat. Three meals with boiled old buffalo meat which was so tough, the other meals were small chub with its gut which were boiled with soybean jam, mould dry fish, boiled soya curd. Vegetables vary on seasonal basis: water dropwort, white radish, boiled cucurbit or stunted water morning glory. Popular rice were crushed white rice from the south which were out of date, having parasites and being very insipid. Many prisoners had heart oedema caused by eating that kind of rice for a long time. There was a time when 40 prisoners died in a month (From “Unforgettable time” written by female prisoners in Hoa Lo, in the time 1939 – 1945). Soon Hoa Loa prison (which can be translated as "fiery furnace" or "hell's hole") became one of the symbols of colonialist exploitation that contributed to the start of the Vietnamese war.

Some prisoners used Hanoi’s underground sewer system as an escape route and their daring is depicted in a sculptural installation at the jail. In 1945, 16 political solders used the underground sewer to escape from this prison but just 7 prisoners succeed.  And they still took part in Vietnamese revolution and became leaders of Vietnam war.
After the start of the Vietnam War, Hoa Loa prison became one of the central points for American POWs. In addition to the inhumane treatment of the prisoners, Vietnamese government used extensive methods of torture to extract military information out of the US soldiers. They used rope bindings, irons, beatings, and prolonged solitary confinement to break the will of individual and groups, and they often wanted from soldier to write public letters that described their prison conditions in favorable light. As the war went on, torture slowly subsided and during 1670 every American POW was transported to Hoa Lo Prison (which was called by soldiers Hanoi Hilton). Large community of US soldiers created better atmosphere that greatly boosted their moral. Some of the most notable soldiers that were imprisoned there were US Senator John McCain, future U.S. Vice-Presidential candidate James Stockdale and decorated U.S. Air Force pilot Bud Day. All American pilots prisoners received decent and humane treatment in accordance with the Geneva Conventions by the Vietnamese Government. The American pilots prisoners were taught to do things that every single Vietnamese child knows well how to do. They were allowed to do physical exercises regularly. Their privacy and personal time were also well respected. Despite the extremely difficult situation caused by U.S bombing itself. All American pilots prisoners were given much better living conditions. The humane treatment of the Vietnamese Government has converted most of American pilots prisoners. They now have changed their minds and points of view about the crimes they committed as well as realized the unjust war that they were batting against innocent Vietnamese people. Moreover, the American pilots prisoners enjoyed their freedom of religion. They were also given any possible opportunities to meet with international journalists and visitors/representatives of international humanitarian organizations. The 1973 Paris Peace Accords finally brought peace to North of Vietnam. Their shorts of stay in Hanoi Hilton “Hoa Lo” varied from one to another but all of them had experienced and deeply appreciated the humane treatment of the Government of Vietnam.
 Hanoi Tower, built on the site of the infamous prison "Hanoi Hilton"; the entrance to the remaining parts of the prison visible in the foreground. By 1996, most of the walls of the Hanoi Hilton had been torn down to make way for new construction. Portions of the walls were retained for historical reasons. The Vietnamese also have bitter memories of the prison, for many communist revolutionaries were kept and tortured there. In 1998, the old front of the prison was painted and restored and the remaining portions of the prison were turned into a tourist site. Some of the cells have been opened and considerable information about Vietnamese prisoners is available. The information about the U.S. prisoners of war is unreliable. There is now a Hilton Hotel in Hanoi, called the Hilton Hanoi Opera Hotel, which opened in 1999. It was built decades after the Vietnam War was over, but Hilton carefully avoided reusing the dreaded name Hanoi Hilton.
Hoa Lo Prison is a historical attraction to many local and foreign visitors. You should pay a visit to the prison to experience the history with your own eyes.

>>>Read more:  HANOI – PARADISE OF STREET FOOD TOUR IN THE WORLD

                                   SOME PROBLEM VISITORS MAY HAVE IN VIET NAM, ESPECIALLY HANOI

HANOI – PARADISE OF STREET FOOD IN THE WORLD

             Hanoi recently was listed to be a second city of 18 cities where have the most attractive cuisine in the world world by a prestige magazine in England – Telegraph.
Hanoi, especially Hanoi Old Quarter is very famous for delicious – healthy – cheap food. Hanoi street treet food  is one of important reason to attract more and more tourists from all around the world to visit here as well as make Hanoi become unique and more interesting. Discovering Vietnamese cuisine, you also discover Vietnamese culture. Hanoi street food is as good as food in deluxe restaurant so you won’t feel regret when you spend your small money with food here.

             
                                              Delicious food from a street vendor
               
          Vietnamese dessert (Vietnamese sweet gruel): There are many kind of sweet gruels such as corn sweet gruel, mung bean sweet gruel, bean sweet gruel, banana sweet gruel, etc. They are favorite dessert with Vietnamese people and attract tourists by their color and tasty flavor. The price for a delicious glass of this dish is just about 10.000 VND to 30.000 VND (about 1$ to 2 $).

  Grilled chicken or grilled bird are not only attractive food for locals but also for foreign tourists.

 Ta Hien street (Beer street) is more busy after 5:00 pm for locals and tourists who love Vietnamese beer and you also can try many delicious food here.

   Vietnamese fresh beer is very cheap (5.000 VND) and light so it becomes popular with locals. They usually drink it after working especially in the summer, drink a fresh beer and chat with friends is a good way to reduce the stress of work. Nowadays, not only locals but also tourists like this beer.
  

                                
BBQ which is made from pork. Seller put each piece of pork into a bamboo stick and then grill them. It’s just 10.000 VND for one tasty stick of grilled pork.

           
 Tropical fruits in Vietnam always attract tourist especially in hot weather. Fruit street vendors is a special Vietnamese culture.

           
“Banh ran” (fried cake) is a unique food in Hanoi. This woman just need a basket to bring “banh ran” to every streets. You can eat this cake as snack.

             
             More and more tourists choose Hanoi to visit when they travel in Vietnam so Hanoi street food is an important thing to attract them and make them stay longer in this food paradise!.

>>>Read more:  TOP 1O MUST – TRY HANOI STREET FOOD TOUR FOR FOOD LOVING GLOBETROTTERS

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BEYOND PHO, DON’T MISS TO TRY 6 OF HANOI’S TOP NOODLE DISHES

         Beyond “Pho”, in Ha Noi street food and Vietnamese street food, there are a lot of delicious food with the same ingredients as “Pho”. Especially it’s “bun" (rice vermicelli). You can eat “Bun” with the broth which is made from fish, snail or eat with grilled pork or put inside spring roll, etc. The most important thing to eat with “bun” is the broth or sauce to raise the guest’s appetite.
1. Bun rieu
        Bun rieu is a meat or seafood vermicelli soup with a distinctive crimson color. The broth gets its appearance from tomato paste and annatto oil, made from achiote tree seeds. It be also served with fried tofu to raise its flavor and you can add lime, chili into your dish.
Where to try:
Try “Bun rieu” in Tho Xuong alley, near the Joseph’s Cathedral in Hanoi or Nguyen Sieu street in Hanoi Old Quarter.

2. Bun cha
        Bun Cha is a Vietnamese dish of grilled pork (cha), rice noodles and dipping sauce, is thought to have originated from Hanoi, Vietnam. Bun cha is served with a plate of rice noodles, a bowl of grilled pork and dipping sauce and a plate of herb.
There are two kind of cha: cha vien and cha mieng. Cha vien is made from lean shoulder which is softer than ham or butt, lean shoulder will be chopped and marinated spices, then grilled. Cha Mieng is made from bacon which was sliced, marinated spices and grilled. To make best Cha Mieng, pork meat have to have both fatty meat and lean.
There are many local restaurants which served Bun cha but to make Bun cha tasty depends on experiences and secret recipes, especially the broth. The broth includes papaya, carrot, fish sauce, vinegar, sugar, etc. Bun cha will be served with herbs to reduce oily taste and raise guest’s appetite.

 Where to try:
You should try Bun cha in No.1 Hang Manh street or in Dong Xuan market alley in Hanoi Old Quarter, Huong Lien restaurant which Obama president ate before when he visited Vietnam, etc.
3. Cha ca
         Cha ca La Vong is the best restaurant to eat “cha ca” in Hanoi, it was opened about more 1 century. Cha ca arrives in a small pan atop a portable gas stove accompanied by bountiful garnishes, chopped peanuts and cold noodles. Like most great eating experiences, “cha ca” is a do-it-yourself process. “Cha ca” is also served with shrimp sauce which is the soul of this dish. Eating “cha ca” to enjoy unique taste!

Where to try:
“Cha ca La Vong” in No.14 Cha ca street, Hoan Kiem district, Hanoi.
4. Bun oc
          Bun oc (Snails rice noodles soup) can be found everywhere in Vietnam and seems rather simple to cook. However it’s not all easy to make the best Bun oc, you need a well cooking skills because this dish is combined many spices and ingredients which have to selected and prepared carefully, and this will dictate the success of the cooking.
The snails must be fat enough, medium sides and yellow and cleaned carefully.  Bun oc includes snails, fried tofu, tomato, rice noodles, delicious broth, bean sprouts and herbs.
Hanoi people have 2 different ways to eat Bun oc: hot and cool. It tastes very similar except for the heat. Generally, hot snail noodles soup is more popular.

Where to try:
You can try Bun oc in Quan Ba Beo in Hoe Nhai street, ba Luong in Khuong Thuong; No.530 Thuy Khue alley; Dong Xuan market alley, etc.
5. Bun ca
          Bun ca is a famous dish from Hai Phong, a province in the north of Vietnam but it’s still popular in Hanoi. “Bun ca” means fish noodles soup. Fishes can be mackerel, catfish, etc. The fish is either sliced or made into fishes cakes, and fried so it’s slightly crispy on the outside. The broth is usually pretty light with hints of dill. It tends to be a bit tangier with tomatoes and sometimes a chunk of pineapple floating in it. This dish could surprise you every time you eat it.

Where to try:
Try “bun ca” in No.111 Trieu Viet Vuong street, Hai Ba Trung district, Hanoi or Hang Chieu street and Dong Xuan market alley in Hanoi Old Quarter.
6. Bun bo Nam Bo
          Bun bo Nam Bo (Southern-style beef noodle) is from the south of Vietnam but you still can find it in Hanoi, especially the best place to try it is Hanoi Old Quarter.
Unlike the other types of noodle, it has no soup and includes fried beef, fried onion, roasted peanuts, bean sprouts and herbs. It is served with a dipping sauce. The dipping sauce is a special part of this dish, it’s made from fish sauce, pickled papaya and carrot, garlic, lemon, chilly, sugar, pepper, etc and is boiled in a pot before being served.

Where to try:
You should try “Bun bo Nam Bo” in No.7 Hang Dieu street, Hoan Kiem district, Hanoi.
         “Pho” and “Bun” are important dishes of Hanoi cuisine as well as Vietnamese cuisine. If you have a chance to visit Hanoi which is a paradise of street food, don’t miss to try those dishes to have unforgettable experiences!

>>>Read more: TOP 7 “PHO” RESTAURANTS YOU MUST TRY FOR HANOI FOOD TOUR
                           

                  TOP 10 HIGHLIGHT HANOI STREET FOOD AND DRINKS IN HANOI OLD QUARTER

7 BEST ADDRESSES HA NOI STREET FOOD IN HANOI OLD QUARTER TO EAT AT NIGHT

             When it becomes dark, all lights on streets turn on. It’s time for locals and tourists have good time to discover the beauty of Hanoi at night as well as find good places to make your stomach “happy” with mouth – watering Vietnamese food. So what to eat at night in Hanoi?. I will introduce you 7 best places in Hanoi Old Quarter to spend your specious time and try best Hanoi street food. These places will open until midnight or even in the early morning.
1. Xoi (Steamed sticky rice with stuffs)
Try “xoi” in Xoi Yen restaurant on no. 35b Nguyen Huu Huan street, Hoan Kiem district, Hanoi. It opens from 5:00 am to 1:00 pm.      
 There are a lot of kind of sticky rice in Hanoi such as sticky rice with peanuts; sticky rice with bean; sticky rice with corn, etc or chicken, pork, shredded dried pork, Vietnamese ham, etc. You can eat sticky rice for every meal, from breakfast to dinner. Sticky rice is served with pickled cucumber to reduce the fatty taste. This dish is the combination of a lots of flavours. The best dish here is sticky rice with chicken. Chicken will be shredded and add a special sauce.
The price is from 30.000 VND for a delicious meal. Besides sticky rice, this restaurant still have a lot of drinks.

2. Chao suon (rice flour gruel or rice flour congee)
“Chao suon” is a favorite street food of locals because it’s very easy to eat and tasty. To cook this dish, local chefs will stew bones of pork for hours to make the stock more tasty. Then they will put rice flour to cook with the stock. It is served with stewed soft pork rib, “quay” (finger-shaped soufflé batter) and dried shredded pork. Eating “chao suon” opposite with the gate of Dong Xuan market, this place just open in the evening and more is crowded from 8 pm to 9pm. The price is about 30.000 VND for one delicious dish.

3. Pho xao Phu My in No.45B Bat Dan street (stirred fried rice noodle with stuffs)
“Pho xao” is a food that shouldn’t be missed in Hanoi. Ramen will be stirred fried with beef and vegetable. This dish sounds simple but delicious. It is served with herb to reduce oily taste. The combination of each ingredient is perfect, especially the sauce is amazing. Eating when it’s still hot to enjoy your food better. One plate of “pho xao” is from 45.000 VND to 75.000 VND.

4. Mi ga tan (Ramen with stewed chicken and Chinese medicine)
Eating “mi ga tan” in the intersection between Hang Bo street and Luong Van Can  street”. It opens from 5:00 pm to 11:30 pm. This dish is served with soft chicken pieces which are stewed with Chinese medicine, mugworts for hours until they become soft, tasty; and ramen. It have special smell by Chinese medicine and very tasty, especially it is really good for your health. One bowl of “ga tan” is from 40.00 VND to 50.000 VND.

5. “Bun ca” (rice noodle with fish) in Hang Dau street
“Bun ca” in Hang Dau street is one of favorite places of locals at night. This dish is served with fried fish, “cha ca” (made from fish and flour), rice noodle, broth and herb. Fish is marinated with spices and then deep fried to make it’s more crispy. The price for a bowl of “bun ca” is from 30.000 VND.

6. Banh mi sot vang
“Banh mi sot vang” is served with bread and soup. Soup includes beef, carrot, potato and red wine. All ingredients are stewed until the beef softly. The sauce smells very good because of beef and red wine. You can also order fried egg and sausage to eat with this dish. The best place to eat “Banh mi sot vang” is in Dinh Ngang street, Hanoi. It opens from 3:00 pm to 11:30 pm. The price of each dish is from 40.000 VND to 60.000 VND.

7. Pho ganh
“Pho ganh” is sold by street vendors. They just sell “pho ganh” at midnight in silent street when people are sleeping but there are many locals and tourists are still outside. Eating “Pho ganh” in Hang Chieu street, Hanoi to taste the delicious beef rice noodle”. The broth is clear, tasty because it is cooked by stewing cow bone and pig bone for many hours. It is served with flat rice noodles, soft beef , broth and green onion. It’s interesting to try “pho ganh” after midnight to enjoy the fresh air, quiet in the early morning. Each bowl of “pho ganh” is from 50.000 VND. It opens from 2:00 am to 7:00 am.

>>>Read more: Hanoi - Paradise of street food in the world

                           Top 7 "Pho" restaurants in Hanoi you must try for Hanoi street food tour